Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware

{
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  "date": "2026-04-20T10:43:37+01:00",
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    "id": "GB-COH-02937881",
    "name": "NPL Management Limited"
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    "title": "Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware",
    "value": {
      "amount": 500000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 600000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
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    "description": "NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who can provide \"Dry\" pulse tube cooled dilution refrigerator system to be used for characterisation of quantum hardware including RF and quantum circuits with sample volume under vacuum. The system should include thermometry and associated wiring and readout electronics with provision to integrate additional temperature sensors in future for comprehensive diagnostics. The purpose is to complement our existing measurement systems and add measurement capability, for characterisation of quantum and RF hardware with high throughput and faster cooldowns repeated typically every 2 weeks.\nThe dilution refrigerator needs to be suitable for RF measurements of complex quantum circuits and hardware, meaning it must be equipped with 20+ coaxial lines with provision to further increase the number of coaxial lines in the future. These lines must include high attenuation input lines suitable for use with sensitive quantum devices such as superconducting qubits and parametric amplifiers and low-loss output coaxial lines suitable for use with low-noise amplifiers, isolators and parametric amplifiers. Some of these coaxial lines must operate up to 40 GHz with provision to integrate even higher frequency RF cabling in the future. There should be sufficient number of DC lines with sufficient reconfigurability to enable biasing of at least tens of RF multi-way switches, at least four low noise amplifiers and few dedicated high resistance and low resistance DC looms for devices under test with provision to integrate more DC looms in the future.\nThe asset must enable the characterisation of quantum and cryogenic RF hardware based on the following:\n1)\tBase temperature of less than or equal to 10 mK with access to PT2 and other intermediate stages for testing components at intermediate temperatures.\n2)\tMixing chamber plate diameter of at least 500 mm and vertical experimental sample space below the mixing chamber with a height of at least 400 mm accessible for custom experimental apparatus\n3)\tWe do NOT require a magnet.\nThis is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.",
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "goods"
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      "id": "GB-COH-02937881",
      "name": "NPL Management Limited",
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        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Teddington",
        "postalCode": "TW11 0LW",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "National Physical Laboratory"
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  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "035497-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035497-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
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        "datePublished": "2026-04-20T10:43:37+01:00"
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    "milestones": [
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        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process.\nSuitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement.\nThe purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract.\nAny submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process.\nA Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response.\nInterested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement.\nThe next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed."
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